Create a New Listing to
Join Our
Nanny
Community!

This Week is Safe Kids Week

Safe Kids Week 2009! Take the time to look out for anything that may put your child in harm’s way, and make sure that you are aware of the precautions you can take to make your home a safe place for your children.

Sad news came to Mike Tyson’s family yesterday. His 4-year old daughter caught her neck in a cord from the family’s treadmill, causing her accidental death. It is such an upsetting story, especially to parents of young children, but it is not unheard of. Unfortunately, hundreds of children are strangled by cords and wires around the home each year.

To parents and babysitters, it is so important that you are aware of these risks and do what you can to prevent this from happening to a child you know.

Any long cords should be secured so that children cannot play with them. This includes electrical cords, appliance cords, blind cords, etc.

There should never be a window blind cord next to a child’s bed or crib; the child can become tangled in the cord while in bed.

Store blind cords out of reach by cutting them short and tying them out of reach, or purchase a device to secure them, such as a cord wind up or cord wrap; these items are available at a variety of retailers.

Whenever possible, use cordless window coverings around young children.

Hide electrical cords securely away from children: attach them to walls or ceilings with cord covers, which are available at a variety of retailers, preventing children from being able to pick up the cord.

Removing the ability for children to play with cords around the home will help to reduce the risk of injury or death.

Children should never be able to play on or around exercise equipment. When I was a child, one of my friends lost two fingers to a stationary exercise bike. Exercise equipment should not be stored in a playroom, or any room where a child could play in without you being there.

We can’t watch children all the time, as things need to get done around the home that takes our eyes off the children. However, it is our responsibility to make sure that the environment a child is in is completely safe, so nothing happens when our back is turned.

Share

Related Blog Posts

About the Author

Martha is the founder of CanadianNanny.ca. Martha has been featured as a Child Care Expert in hundreds of publications across Canada including The Globe and Mail, CBC, Today's Parent and The National Post, She lives in British Columbia with her husband and two daughters.

About

CanadianNanny.ca is the #1 way families find qualified nannies, caregivers, and au pairs.